1. History Standard
SS8H11 The student will evaluate the role of Georgia in the modern civil rights movement.
SS8H11.a  Describe major developments in civil rights and Georgia's role during the 1940s and 1950s; include the roles of Herman Talmadge, Benjamin Mays, the 1946 governor's race and the end of the white primary, Brown v. Board of Education, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the 1956 state flag.
SS8H11.b  Analyze the role Georgia and prominent Georgians played in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and 1970s; include such events as the founding of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Sibley Commission, admission of Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter to the University of Georgia, Albany Movement, March on Washington, Civil Rights Act, the election of Maynard Jackson as mayor of Atlanta, and the role of Lester Maddox.
SS8H11.c  Discuss the impact of Andrew Young on Georgia.

2. Benjamin Mays & MLK
Dr. Mays was born to former slaves and sharecroppers in SC
Traveled to India in 1936 and met with Ghandi
Became President of Morehouse College in 1940
Served as a professor and a mentor to MLK
Martin Luther King, Jr.
1929 – 1968
Minister in Montgomery when Rosa Parks was arrested
This led to his involvement and eventual leadership in the civil rights movement
Supporter of NONVIOLENCE
Inspired by Ghandi & Mays
Received Nobel Peace Prize
Was assassinated in Memphis. Tennessee in 1968

3. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas
In 1954, nine African American families sued the Topeka Board of Education for forcing their students to attend “Colored Schools” when there were perfectly good “White Schools” closer to their homes.
They argued that the schools were not “equal” in quality or opportunity and therefore were in violation of what earlier Supreme Court ruling?

4. Herman Talmadge & 1956 GA Flag
Georgia Flag Flap…
Received write-in votes in the 1946 Governor’s election
Part of 3 Governor’s Controversy
Elected Governor in a special election in 1948
Began sales tax to support education
Brought more industry to the state
Supporter of Segregation
Elected to US Senate in 1956
Charged with financial misconduct in 1979 & lost reelection
The flag on the left was in place before the Brown v. Board of Education decision made segregation illegal.
In response to the Brown decision, the General Assembly changed the flag to include the Confederate “X”
The flag was changed in 2001 and lastly in 2004

5. Civil Rights Events/Groups SNCC SCLC Albany Movement
Sibley Commission & UGA
SNCC
Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee
Sit-ins & protests
SCLC
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Albany Movement
Not a success – tried to do too much
March on Washington
Aug over 200,000 attended; “I have a dream”
In 1960, the Sibley Commission was tasked with studying the issue of integration of public schools
60% of Georgians preferred closing schools vs. integrating
In 1961, UGA admitted its first two black students
Charlayne Hunter & Hamilton Holmes
Atlanta public schools integrated in 1961 but it took almost 10 years for every school in Georgia to finally follow…

6. Governor Lester Maddox
1966 – 1971
The last overtly segregationist governor in Georgia history
Appointed more African Americans to government positions than all other governors before him combined
Hosted “People’s Days” twice a month to allow citizens to voice complaints or receive assistance
Gained support of both white & black voters
Refused to fly flags at half staff after the murder of Dr. King

7. Jackson & Young Maynard Jackson Andrew Young
Came to GA as a minister
Began working with the SCLC to assist with voter registration
Became a close associate and friend of Dr. King
With MLK on the day of his assassination
1972 – became Georgia’s first Black US Congressman since Reconstruction
1977 – appointed US Ambassador to the United Nations by Pres. Carter
1981 – elected Mayor of Atlanta
Helped to bring the 1996 Olympics to Georgia
Continues to work world-wide for equality still today
Graduated from Morehouse at 18
Elected Mayor of Atlanta at age 35 (1973 – 1981; )
1ST BLACK MAYOR OF A MAJOR SOUTHERN CITY
Important because of Atlanta’s role in the Confederacy
Expanded the airport, MARTA, and increased the number of black police officers
Helped bring the 1996 Olympics to Georgia
Died in 2003